People across Iran celebrated Sizdah Bedar, the ancient festival of nature, on the last day of Nowruz holidays, with many left their houses and spent time outdoors in the fresh spring air before getting back to work and their regular routine after the holidays.

Sizdah Bedar, also called Nature’s Day, marks the 13th day of Farvardin, the first month of the Iranian calendar, and the final day of the two-week Persian New Year holidays, which began on March 21.

On this day, which has fallen on April 2 this year, it is customary for Iranians to head out to parks or countryside on picnics.

Sizdah Bedar is also known as Nature’s Day in Iran.

Since ancient times, Iranians have been fond of nature and its beauties. In recent years, however, there has been an extra emphasis on making efforts to preserve nature on this day by planting trees and cleaning up the waste disposed of irresponsibly in the natural environment.